Youth in South Africa are disproportionately affected by deprivation (Frame et al., 2016). Young people talk about the curriculum being too academic with little choice for those who are more practical or creative (De Lannoy et al., 2015). In addition, some young people have asked to review teachers' qualifications to ensure they are of the highest standard and to raise the pass rate to 50% (De Lannoy et al., 2015).
Post‐school education
- Struggles in accessing university and college
- The value of accessible skills training programmes
- Evidence of agency in “upskilling”
- Disappointment in unemployment despite skills
- What services can support youth to access PSET?
- Costs of work‐seeking
- Salary expectations and scams
- The role of social networks and experiences of limited social capital
This is experienced as the loss of a scholarship and not being able to afford the cost of living (Graham et al., 2019; Graham et al. 2019a). The reasons for this are unknown to them and the lack of a feedback loop deprives them of opportunities to submit better applications (Graham et al., 2019a). These programs usually consist of skills training (personal, interpersonal and technical skills) and work experience in the form of apprenticeships, volunteering and traineeships (Graham et al., 2017, Graham et al., 2019a).
I heard about it [the employment program] from a next-door neighbor who was a participant there, and I decided to send my CV and apply.” (Graham et al., 2017). I signed up for the program for the money, but when I started I realized it's so interesting and broadens your mind and helps you build confidence.” (Graham et al., 2019a). Without skill you are nothing, the matrix is nothing, so ['why am I here now because I have no skill.'' (Graham et al., 2019).
Young people indicate that they need encouraging spaces and opportunities to engage and be active citizens (De Lannoy et al., 2015; Youth Lab & PII, 2017). The significant cost of looking for work is cited by many young people as prohibiting the scope of their job search and in some cases as a strain on household finances (Patel et al., 2016). In a number of studies, young people have talked about recruitment fraud or the need to bribe someone to secure a job in recruitment practices (Patel et al., 2016; Graham et al., 2017; . Graham et al., 2019).
There is a lot of nepotism here, just like in our municipality, you have to have a popular surname or be a well-known comrade to be employed." (Graham et al., 2019).
What support do young people indicate they need to help them secure work?
Young people across the surveys show a great awareness of the role that social networks play in securing work; when they did find work, it was often learned about and secured through a social connection of some kind. Youth also calls for efforts to investigate and eliminate nepotism, bribery and other unfair recruitment practices. But most importantly, there is a need to create more industry and work, especially in rural areas.
Furthermore, they highlight the need to promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and move away from policies that are biased towards large companies (Youth Lab & PII, 2017). Young people are capable and willing and able to acquire new skills, but they need the opportunities to express and utilize these skills. In this regard, the Youth Lab and the Poverty and Inequality Initiative have discussed the provision of a "jobseeker's allowance", although there is an ideological barrier to "handouts".
In the absence of paid work, increased opportunities for volunteering are required to at least provide young people with activities to be involved in instead of "sitting at home". Basically, young people are willing if not desperate to have a chance to work and demonstrate the contributions they can make.
Family and parenting
The household members with whom young people live can change many times during childhood, as can the geographical location of their home. For young people still in school, moving school has been reported as stressful (Newman &. De Lannoy, 2014; Graham et al., 2019). Young people are aware of these financial pressures at home, and whether they live with immediate or extended family, they reported feeling like a burden and being forced to find ways to make ends meet.
Young people are also at a stage in their lives where they are not only dependent, but may also have responsibilities to care for others, including children (their own and others in the family) and parents or grandparents. more grown up. These are often neglected aspects of being young, but qualitative evidence suggests that they affect young people's life chances and ability to take advantage of opportunities. However, young people have said that making well-informed decisions about pregnancy is not easy, with contraception not readily available, unsupportive – and unprofessional – nursing services and difficulty negotiating sex (De Lannoy et al., 2015).
As a result, the types of family support young people seek speak to the need for psychosocial and counseling services. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that family planning is provided in a professional and confidential manner and that young people have easy access to contraceptives.
Financial exclusion
Health and safety
I agree with number six [another respondent in the group] that drugs, alcohol and the use of prostitution are challenges facing the youth." (Graham et al., 2019). Our community is] not really a nice place; there is a lot of crime and gangsterism and people on drugs." (De Lannoy et al., 2018a). You get in while you're trying to put electricity [into the prepaid meter of the house you share electricity with]; before you're even done, he closes the door and rapes you." (De Lannoy et al., 2018a).
Young people are clear about the interconnectedness of deprivation and hopelessness on the one hand, and inappropriate substance use, crime and violent behavior on the other (De Lannoy et al. 2018a; Graham et al. 2019). There is also a need to develop the skills of healthcare staff, especially when dealing with young people and their families (De Lannoy et al., 2015; Youth Lab & PII, 2017). We also need more rehabilitation centers that are affordable and easily accessible – places in our community where they can support us to stay on track.” (De Lannoy et al., 2015).
The police get bribed and drug dealers get off the hook easily." (De Lannoy et al., 2015). And if people actually took care of Rhodes Park like they should, we wouldn't be going around doing things we shouldn't be doing .” (Graham et al., 2019).
Information and connection
For example, in Luka in the North West Province, there is an internet cafe that serves the entire village and this monopoly allows the owners to charge R1 per minute for internet access and R10 per page for printing (Patel et al., 2016). Similarly, a participant in the Siyakha Youth Assets Study recounted how she would pay for transport into the city and when she got to the internet cafe she would find that it was not working (Graham et al., 2019a). This generally results in job applicants only being able to make one or at most two applications per month (Patel et al., 2016).
In addition to the link to educational and employment opportunities, young people talk about their need for social and recreational activities and facilities as they are bored in their free time (De Lannoy et al., 2015; De Lannoy et al., 2018a; Graham et al. ., 2017; Graham et al., 2019; Graham et al., 2019a). They have been looking for youth-friendly centers where they can enjoy their free time by participating in arts, sports, various interest groups and clubs, and where they can get reliable information about their future options. available to them (De Lannoy et al., 2015). Ideally, these facilities should be within walking distance, they should run long-term programs and offer a variety of services (De Lannoy et al., 2018a).
It's like we have a youth or once as most have left this place as it has been mentioned that it is quiet and there are no activities.” (Graham et al., 2019). For example, would it be possible to have Wi-Fi at taxi ranks, bookstores, youth centers, public spaces, schools, clinics, train and bus stops?” (De Lannoy et al., 2015).
Transport and mobility
Belonging and social networks
After school I come home, change and go to brass band practice, there after I go. Perhaps the strongest qualitative evidence to date on how young people can be supported through their transition from schooling to independence is provided in the Siyakha Youth Assets report (Graham et al., 2019). Looking at the descriptions of these programs, we see that they are multifaceted in that they provide psychosocial support and guidance; technical skills training; links with educational institutions such as VET colleges; links to the labor market through job matching, internships and internships; and some offer a salary.
In addition to youth employment programs, non-governmental organizations, community centers, libraries, clinics and other common spaces can positively contribute to a sense of connection and belonging among young people. The important influence that NGOs can have in creating a supportive environment is reflected in these sentiments about “Mr. He will come to talk to your parents about what we do here at the program.
Through the qualitative studies, young people also encourage higher education institutions, employers and authorities to be more present in their schools and communities and to link them to relevant information and opportunities.
Conclusion
It engages young people face-to-face, perhaps with the support of technology, and starts where they are, understanding their capabilities and their goals. Its ultimate goal is for young people to feel supported in their agency and to improve their navigational ability and well-being. Too many programs support young people to take advantage of an opportunity and then leave them to continue their journey.
Certainly, the stories show that regular check-ins and support are highly valued by young people. Although South Africa has invested significantly in services and opportunities for young people to progress, it has not done enough to support the empowerment of young people to break down the barriers they face to create a better life for themselves and their families. Unpacking the heterogeneous nature of young people not in employment, education or training in South Africa.
Unpacking the lived realities of young people in the Western Cape: Exploring the wellbeing of young people living in five of the most deprived areas of the Western Cape Province. 2018) Young people's experiences of gaining access to higher education. ed.) Development, social policy and community efforts: Lessons learned from below.
About this working paper
